Meet Our Team

The K2 Owners & Founders
Katherine Wacholz MEd, CTC

Katherine has over 30 years experience in the field of education, and has taught all age groups and subjects, but her passion and specialty is in Special Education. She holds two Masters degrees and is currently working on her doctorate degree in education.

She is nationally certified by EAGALA, an equine assisted growth and learning program that provides special needs children with a unique experience of physical and emotional growth through horses. These powerful animals promote confidence and self-esteem, motivation and interaction. The K2 Equestrian Center is a place of survival; survival of the spirit. It is the place of the “healing horse.”

Keith Wacholz

Keith is a graduate of San Jose State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance and a minor in classical music. Looking to follow in his father’s footsteps as an educator, Keith continued to attend SJSU, earning a teaching credential and a specialist credential for teaching the learning handicapped. When a teaching position opened up in an alternative school that required working with emotionally handicapped students (of which no candidates could be found), Keith accepted the position and has since been teaching in special education, elementary, middle and high school.

The K2 Team

Janna Miller, Trainer & Instructor

Janna Miller is our Equine Specialist and Trainer. Janna joined our team in May 2015 and brings more than 20 years of experience in training. She began working with horses as a young girl, quickly growing her passion into a profession. Janna is certified in EAGALA as an equine specialist, and is the founder of Rockin’ K Cowgirl Enterprises, specializing in western horsemanship and trail disciplines for horse and rider. Everything Janna does is with the best interest of the horse in mind.

Jerry Elder, Farrier

Jerry has been working with K2 Equestrian Center since 2007 and takes great pride in providing the best hoof care to our herd. He is very knowledgeable about preventative hoof care and proper shoeing techniques. Jerry has a calm, gentle and patient mannerism that is so important when working with horses.

K2 Partners

What Our Clients Say...

"Thank you so much for letting Caden ride yesterday. Your facility is just wonderful and you and your family and staff were so welcoming and great with Caden. He had a superb time! You and your facility are truly a gift from God. Thanks again."

Christi

2017-10-03T18:35:09+00:00

Christi

"Thank you so much for letting Caden ride yesterday. Your facility is just wonderful and you and your family and staff were so welcoming and great with Caden. He had a superb time! You and your facility are truly a gift from God. Thanks again."

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/thank-you/

"We are so thankful for Keith and Katherine and the K2 Equestrian Center for their expertise and their generosity: for being there for us all when we were at the end of our rope, for helping us to believe that solutions could exist after so many years of dead ends, and for welcoming our daughter to their ranch and being the pivot point from which things finally started looking up."

Heather R. , Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

2017-10-03T18:37:48+00:00

Heather R. , Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

"We are so thankful for Keith and Katherine and the K2 Equestrian Center for their expertise and their generosity: for being there for us all when we were at the end of our rope, for helping us to believe that solutions could exist after so many years of dead ends, and for welcoming our daughter to their ranch and being the pivot point from which things finally started looking up."

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/so-thankful-for-k2/

I have several client's with disabilities that have attended the K2 Equestrian Center. The expert staff are adept at empowering, supporting, and engaging these children creating an enriched and joyful experience for them.

Cathy Kowalski, The Learning Garden, Post Falls, Idaho

2017-10-04T08:15:35+00:00

Cathy Kowalski, The Learning Garden, Post Falls, Idaho

I have several client's with disabilities that have attended the K2 Equestrian Center. The expert staff are adept at empowering, supporting, and engaging these children creating an enriched and joyful experience for them.

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/expert-staff-at-k2/

"As a parent of a child with autism, our family loves K2 Ranch. Not only does the Ranch help our daughter with sensory overload and social skills, we get more positive outcomes at home, based on her willingness to work and have time at the Ranch. It's a win-win situation. She works hard when she's not at the Ranch, so she will be able to go see the animals. She learns social skills and her executive functioning improves, based on her ability to organize tasks and remember a certain order procedures, like putting away tools. We have noticed a huge improvement and are so grateful to Katherine and Keith for their continued support of our daughter's growth."

Patty MacGruder

2017-10-04T08:26:42+00:00

Patty MacGruder

"As a parent of a child with autism, our family loves K2 Ranch. Not only does the Ranch help our daughter with sensory overload and social skills, we get more positive outcomes at home, based on her willingness to work and have time at the Ranch. It's a win-win situation. She works hard when she's not at the Ranch, so she will be able to go see the animals. She learns social skills and her executive functioning improves, based on her ability to organize tasks and remember a certain order procedures, like putting away tools. We have noticed a huge improvement and are so grateful to Katherine and Keith for their continued support of our daughter's growth."

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/so-grateful-for-k2/

Jaylyn loves to go to the K2 Ranch. He loves all he can do and learn there. He's learned new skills and has the opportunity to use them beyond the Ranch. We have seen so much growth in him since he has started working with Katherine at K2. He has accomplished skills beyond our greatest expectations. We are so blessed to have these people available to work with him.

Debra Patterson

2017-10-04T15:25:51+00:00

Debra Patterson

Jaylyn loves to go to the K2 Ranch. He loves all he can do and learn there. He's learned new skills and has the opportunity to use them beyond the Ranch. We have seen so much growth in him since he has started working with Katherine at K2. He has accomplished skills beyond our greatest expectations. We are so blessed to have these people available to work with him.

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/1500/

The K2 Equestrian Center is an outdoor wonderland for kids/clients and volunteers to feel safe and find enjoyment and meaning in a nurturing environment. The center is filled with compassion and guidance for individuals to overcome any obstacles life presents to them. Katherine and Keith are a great a team not only for their expertise in special needs, but in making everyone feel like part of the K2 family. We are thankful to have me Keith and Katherine, and experience the K2 Center.

Randi, OTR/L

2017-10-06T14:20:02+00:00

Randi, OTR/L

The K2 Equestrian Center is an outdoor wonderland for kids/clients and volunteers to feel safe and find enjoyment and meaning in a nurturing environment. The center is filled with compassion and guidance for individuals to overcome any obstacles life presents to them. Katherine and Keith are a great a team not only for their expertise in special needs, but in making everyone feel like part of the K2 family. We are thankful to have me Keith and Katherine, and experience the K2 Center.

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/nurturing-environment/

I had the opportunity to meet the people of K2 Equestrian Center. Wow! What wonderful, down to earth people who help horses and people alike. They are truly a gem of north Idaho! Thanks so much for having us out to work with you.

Dr. Holly Brophy DVM, Veterinary Services, Hayden, ID

2017-10-29T16:46:10+00:00

Dr. Holly Brophy DVM, Veterinary Services, Hayden, ID

I had the opportunity to meet the people of K2 Equestrian Center. Wow! What wonderful, down to earth people who help horses and people alike. They are truly a gem of north Idaho! Thanks so much for having us out to work with you.

http://k2equestriancenter.org/testimonials/wonderful-people-at-k2/

K2 News & Events

K2 Summer Riding Program to Participate in Dissertation Study K2 Equestrian Center is pleased to announce that we have been selected to partake in a research study during the 2016 summer session on human-horse interactions. Participation in the study will be voluntary and all participants and parents/caregivers will be informed on all aspects associated with…